Over-30-dB gain and 1-dB noise figure phase-sensitive amplification using a pump-combiner-integrated fiber I/O PPLN module.

Abstract

Phase-sensitive amplifiers (PSAs) via the optical parametric amplification (OPA) process are capable of near-noiseless amplification, which can improve the performance of optical communications systems. OPA based on periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) waveguides is a proven means to implement a PSA with low additional nonlinear effects, such as frequency chirp, stimulated Brillouin scattering, and parametric crosstalk due to unwanted nonlinear interactions among pump and other signal waves. However, fiber compatibility is a challenge because optical coupling loss between a fiber and PPLN waveguide limits essential performance such as the gain and noise figure (NF), which makes PSAs still far from being practical. In this work, we developed a PPLN-waveguide-based pump-combiner-integrated OPA module with fiber input and output ports. With our recent development and optimization of the OPA module, we demonstrated high-performance phase-sensitive amplification with a gain of over 30 dB and an NF of 1.0 dB. In addition, we observed a 3-dB gain bandwidth of over 65 nm and flat NF characteristics in that wavelength band. The high conversion efficiency and high damage resistance of the PPLN waveguide, obtained by employing direct bonding and dry etching techniques, provide a high parametric gain. The low-loss coupling for the signal and pump between the fiber and a spot-size-converter-integrated PPLN waveguide through the dichroic beam combiner improve not only the gain but also the NF of the amplifier. Using the PSA as a preamplifier, the low-noise characteristics were confirmed by the sensitivity improvement provided by the low NF value.